Calm before the storm . . .

We had a lovely, peaceful Sunday today, which is just as well as it's been a busy week and I've a feeling it's going to be another 'Manic Monday' tomorrow.

After Mass which of course is always a great start to the day and has a wonderful way of injecting peace and calm into our otherwise busy lives, our PP came home to bless our Advent wreath. Yes, I know it's been in use a week already but better late than never!

Part of the brief form of blessing he used was that beautiful reading from Isaiah which we hear at Midnight Mass:

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;

on those who live in a land of deep shadow

a light has shone.

You have made their gladness greater,

you have made their joy increase;

they rejoice in your presence

as men rejoice at harvest time,

as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils . . .

. . . For there is a child born for us,

a son given to us

and dominion is laid on his shoulders;

and this is the name they give him:

Wonderful-Counsellor, Mighty-God,

Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace.

Wide is his dominion

in a peace that has no end,

for the throne of David

and for his royal power,

which he establishes and makes secure

in justice and integrity.

From this time onwards and for ever,

the jealous love of the Lord Sabaoth will do this.

We've always had an Advent wreath at home as we did when I was a child. It's a wonderful way to remind us what Advent is all about and also to focus on preparing well for Christmas, and I don't just mean making sure we get the tree and the turkey organised in good time (though they are also part of Christmas and nothing wrong with that, in my book!)

We leave the Advent wreath out after Christmas day with the other decorations and add a large white candle in the centre to represent Christ. It's always commented on by our non-churchgoing visitors, along with our crib and I'm often surprised at the interest they show in the symbolism of things like this.

Which reminds me, I hope our PP will also be able to spare a few minutes to come and bless our crib for us later . . . perhaps some mince pies and a seasonal drink ?

Advent - almost upon us . . .

Nearly there . . . I nipped out into the back garden this afternoon (and it was decidedly nippy!) with my trusty secateurs and here is the result.

I approach the creation of the Advent wreath much as I do cooking, first thing to do is assemble the ingredients - you can tell I must have read all the right books! We have plenty of 'greenery' in the garden but not much in the way of berries so I cheat a bit by adding a few artificial bits of colour.


Taa-daaa! Not quite Jane Packer but in candlelight it doesn't look too bad!

Preparations . . .

Advent is amongst other things, a time of preparation; a chance for us to examine our lives and make ourselves ready (or as ready as we possibly can be) to greet Our Lord on the wonderful Feast of the Nativity.

Of course there is a lot to be done to prepare spiritually. Around this time in our parish, and in many others, we have a Service of Reconciliation with an opportunity for Confession. These services are generally well attended and a great help in getting us into the proper frame of mind for Christmas.

More on the spiritual preparations later, when Advent begins on Sunday. . .

In our house, preparation also involves preparing for Advent by going into our loft and searching out all the materials for our Advent wreath. Generally Number One Son helps out here. Only when I’ve sorted through the boxes and bags and re-discovered the candles, the oasis ring and a few decorations to augment the greenery do I allow myself to even contemplate the Christmas Season.

Anyone who’s been following my musings for a while will remember my difficulty with obtaining pink candles last year. Secure in the knowledge that I now have enough to last several years (!) I shall have an enjoyable stroll around our little garden at the weekend, secateurs in hand, to collect greenery for the wreath and enjoy putting it together in time to light the first candle on Sunday. Pictures to follow, I hope.